• US Open, Day Three

Flipkens no match for classy Azarenka

Victoria Azarenka's power was too much for Kirsten Flipkens © PA Photos

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Victoria Azarenka is in a strange situation in that she is flying under the radar despite being No. 1 seed, but she booked her ticket into the third round of the US Open with a comfortable win over Kirsten Flipkens.

The focus of attention is understandably on Serena Williams, but Azarenka's record this year has ensured she enters the final slam of the year as the top-ranked player. She has the incentive of knowing she needs a good run to hold on to No. 1 and she warmed up for bigger tasks ahead with a dominant win over Flipkens.

Flipkens does not have the firepower to test an on-form Azarenka and she was on the back foot from the moment she lost her serve in the third game.

Azarenka did not hit top gear, her serve was not as crisp as it can be, but she thundered 15 winners and it proved too much for Flipkens.

Flipkens was a little more assured in the second set and some bright play at the net earned her a break point in the fourth game. But an excellent serve from Azarenka staved off the threat and one game later the Belarusinan broke herself to take a grip on the match that she did not surrender.

Azarenka wrapped up the match in style, with a crisp winner and a fantastic body serve on match point.

Third seed Maria Sharapova barely broke into a sweat, dropping just one game against Lourdes Dominguez Lino. The Russian was dominant in every aspect while Dominguez Lino, a clay court specialist, found herself pushed too far behind the baseline to make any impact.

Sam Stosur also cruised on Wednesday evening, easily accounting for Edina Gallovits-Hall 6-3 6-0. After a shaky 12 months since winning the US Open title last year, Stosur made something of a return to her best as she took her groundstrokes early and made best use of her sliced backhand.

Petra Kvitova has found some form in North America in recent weeks and the 2011 Wimbledon champion eased her way into the third round with a 6-4 6-3 win over Alize Cornet on Louis Armstrong

The 19th seed Nadia Petrova was another player to produce a dominant display, with the Russian swatting aside Simona Halep 6-1 6-1,

Lucie Safarova was not at her best, but she found some consistency in the final set to claim a 6-3 4-6 6-2 win over Alexandra Wozniak and will meet Petrova next.

Jie Zheng eased past Magdalena Rybarikova to set up a meeting with Azarenka.

The home crowd had plenty to cheer on Court 11 as Mallory Burdette toppled Lucie Hradecka to reach the third round.

More to follow from the women's draw on day three

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